Staffordshire Moorlands

Staffordshire Moorlands' population grew older between the last two censuses. Data from the census show there were changes in relationships, family life and housing tenure.

The population passed 97,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Staffordshire Moorlands increased by 2.8%, from just under 94,500 to 97,100.

The addition of about 2,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Staffordshire Moorlands was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Staffordshire Moorlands

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Staffordshire Moorlands increased by four years, from 41 to 45 years.

This rural area had the third-highest average age in the West Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 3,900 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 3,000.

About 15% of people in Staffordshire Moorlands are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Staffordshire Moorlands by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More people living alone

This area saw the West Midlands' largest rise in the proportion of single-person households.

Across the region, Stafford saw the next largest increase in the proportion of single-person households (from 26% in 2001 to 29% in 2011).

During this period, Staffordshire Moorlands fell below four local authority areas, including Redditch and Wychavon, to become the West Midlands local authority area with the 10th-lowest percentage of single-person households.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (28%) households in Staffordshire Moorlands had only a single person, compared with 25% in 2001. The percentage with an unmarried couple increased from 7.7% to 9.5%.

The percentage of households with only a single-person was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw the West Midlands' largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Across the region, Shropshire saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 9.7% in 2001 to 12% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner, as the regional average grew from 10% to 11%.

In 2011, just under one in nine (11%) people aged 16 and over in Staffordshire Moorlands said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 8.8% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 59% to 54%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Staffordshire Moorlands

The number of people in Staffordshire Moorlands from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 94,000 in 2001 to just under 96,000 in 2011. As a share of the total population, the percentage remained close to 99%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the West Midlands (83%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Staffordshire Moorlands from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 360 in 2001 to about 600 in 2011 (from 0.4% to 0.6%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 270 to about 500 (from 0.3% to 0.5%).

About 120 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 55 in 2001 (0.1%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Staffordshire Moorlands remained close to 99%

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Staffordshire Moorlands by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes without children

This area saw the West Midlands' third-largest rise in the proportion of households without children.

Across the region, only Tamworth (from 53% to 57%) and Wyre Forest (from 60% to 64%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of households without children.

During this period, Staffordshire Moorlands overtook five local authority areas, including Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent, to become the West Midlands local authority area with the 10th-highest percentage of households without children.

In 2011, just over 6 in 10 (63%) households in Staffordshire Moorlands had no children, compared with 59% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 29% to 26%.

The proportion of households without children was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households that without children across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

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